When 16-year-old Abhinav Singh moved from Delhi’s cricket fields to Beijing’s baseball diamonds, he brought more than just his athleticism—he carried the spirit of Indian sports culture. Now a top pitcher at WAB, the India-born athlete shares how cricket’s legacy fuels his baseball success, why pitching felt surprisingly natural, and how he bridges two similar yet distinct sports in Beijing’s international school scene.

Born in Bihar, Abhinav spent his first 13 years in Delhi, where he began playing cricket at age eight. Two years ago, his family’s move to Beijing upended his sporting routine—but not his passion.

Adjusting to life in China was both thrilling and daunting. Language proved the steepest hurdle, followed by cultural differences and unfamiliar social norms. Baseball entered the picture out of necessity: with no cricket programs available, Abhinav gravitated toward its closest counterpart. “Batting and pitching aren’t identical to cricket, but I’d say they’re 50% the same,” he noted.

Playing on a diverse team in a cricket-scarce country offered unique rewards and frustrations. While he cherishes bonding with teammates from varied backgrounds, finding practice spaces—or fellow cricket converts—remains a challenge.

Initially optimistic, Abhinav soon confronted the sports’ technical divides. The lighter baseball and mandatory fielding glove (not used in cricket) demanded quick adaptation. Yet his cricket foundation became an unexpected asset. “Throwing a heavier cricket ball builds arm strength. Switching to baseball made fast throws effortless,” he explained. Teammates agreed: “My friend said, ‘You’re throwing so fast—you should pitch!’”

Encouraged, he trained formally as a pitcher, rising to prominence at WAB and competing in inter-school tournaments.

For Abhinav, cricket and baseball’s contrasts extend beyond rules to their cultural heartbeat. “I’ve loved cricket since birth,” he said, recalling how India’s 2011 World Cup victory electrified him. Like millions of Indians, he feels the sport pulse in his blood—yet baseball now shares that space.

Images: Abhinav Singh

When 16-year-old Simon Strand moved from snow-filled small-town Norway to the megalopolis of Beijing, he traded country roads for skyscrapers, bland cheese sandwiches for fiery Sichuan cuisine, and frostbitten winters for Beijing’s distinct four seasons. Almost a year into his experience, the WAB 10th grader had made up his mind: he’ll take Beijing’s chaos over Norway’s remoteness any day. Here’s why.

Born in Manila to a Norwegian father and a Filipino mother, Simon has already lived in four countries: the Philippines, the United States, Norway, and now China. After a six-year stint in Norway, Simon and his family moved to Beijing when his father took up a diplomatic post. Nine months into his new life, we sat down with him to discuss the biggest differences he’s noticed between Norway and China.

The first shock was Beijing’s towering skyline. In Norway? Almost none—even the tallest buildings were modest by comparison. The sheer scale of Beijing’s population was equally staggering: the city alone holds four times as many people as all of Norway.

Then came the food. Beijing offered a dizzying array of international flavors and bold spices, while Simon found Norwegian cuisine comparatively plain—think untoasted bread with a single slice of cheese. In contrast, he now relishes Beijing’s spicy dishes, savoring flavors he never experienced back home.

The convenience of Meituan and other delivery apps also amazed him; in Norway, such instant gratification simply didn’t exist. And then there was the weather. Norway’s winters were brutal, with snow piling up to his knees. He recalls being stranded at school once when snow blocked the train tracks—and frostbite among friends wasn’t uncommon. Beijing’s milder winters and hot summers, where snow barely dusts the ground, felt like a reprieve.

In the end, Simon’s choice is clear: Beijing’s vibrant energy, diverse community, and endless opportunities have won him over. For a global nomad like him, China isn’t just a new home—it’s an adventure that Norway could never match.